(2) PS Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Hindley brings a Richard Scarry vibe to Fitzgerald's zany bedtime frolic. From the start, the direct-address narrator breaks the book's titular promise: the "quickest bedtime story EVER" is "only ten words. BUT before we begin, listen up." Listeners join a cast of pajama-clad animals in a series of interactive bedtime-stalling antics. They pledge to go to bed at the end of the book, while grownups promise to use their best reading voices. Everyone warms up (aided by silly, near-page-filling text), stretches (rotating the book to achieve a full vertical extension), tucks in their toys (from biggest to smallest, in colors and patterns, or "even try out [their] own ideas"), practices careful page-turning, and so on. Finally it's time for the story, which sums up this delightful romp: "Once upon a bed, / you laughed, / and played, / and read." Colorfully cluttered illustrations offer myriad details, inviting repeat readings, encouraged by the book's closing words: "(Until tomorrow!)." In the final pages, Hindley's bright, wakeful colors give way to sleepy shades of blue, glowing from decorative string lights, and everyone -- well, almost everyone -- is sound asleep.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) PS Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Gertie, "the littlest yak of them all," wishes she were bigger. She tries eating veggies; she tries exercise; she tries reading "to make her thoughts grow." Nothing works. But when another yak needs rescuing from a precariously narrow ledge, well, you can guess whose qualities come in handy. (Being the "grippiest" doesn't hurt, either.) This iteration of the difference-is-good plot is unusual because the other yaks are supportive from the start, and Fraser elevates the familiar story line with a well-paced rhyming text that invites reading aloud: "Look up! / A yak's STUCK! / On the craggy cliff's edge! / At the end of the narrowest, / rockiest ledge!" Hindley's digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations, in a limited palette and featuring cool blue and green wintry backgrounds, are populated with endearing yaks, whose boldly patterned hats and scarves match the story's cozy feel.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2021

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. When a small, timid rabbit named Shylo Tawny-Tail overhears a gang of Ratzis (paparazzi rats) plotting to embarrass the queen of England, he bravely leaves his country burrow to help the Royal Rabbits of London (militaristic royal protectors) take down the pap. Scratchy line drawings bring the characters' personalities to life, while tongue-in-cheek critique of technology modernizes this old-fashioned animal adventure.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. A young boy receives an invitation to Nigel's "HATTIEST PARTY OF ALL TIME." Armed with a hat-wearing monkey, the boy encounters tight security and faces additional entrance criteria until he learns he's at the wrong address (and party). Detailed double-page illustrations show guests arriving at each side-by-side party. Readers will enjoy noticing the boy's mistake before he does.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. In this second Smashie McPerter book, Room 11 is abuzz with preparations for the third-grade musicale. Smashie wants to sing; her classmate Charlene is doing hair. When Charlene's special styling goop disappears, Smashie's on the case. Mix in a math-based secret code and some playground gossip for another off-the-wall puzzle story. Copious illustrations highlight the story's humor--and Charlene's hair-tastic creations.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. A little dog's owner pampers it to an almost unbearable extent. Even worse, the owner calls the dog things such as "Ickle Pickle Woof Woof"--and right in front of some tough-looking dogs! But guess who else has embarrassing owners? It's a vaguely familiar story freshly and funnily told. Hindley gives the melodramatic canine cast the emotional range of the best actors.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Albert enters his pet monster into the Best Pet Monster in the World Competition, but Sidney is too clean, kind, and timid to win any of the categories and instead is awarded Worst in Show. The conceit is silly and offbeat, and the story follows a vague pattern for each contest category. The illustrations have an old-timey vibe with hints of Sendak's influence.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Protagonist Smashie and best friend Dontel investigate the class-pet hamster's disappearance, along with a missing brooch and the Mystery of the Mad Gluer. Suspects emerge: a narcissistic substitute teacher, a prankster classmate, and even Smashie herself. Readers could maybe figure out the somewhat convoluted mysteries, but they'll more likely just have fun going with Smashie's flow. Black-and-white illustrations display Smashie's individuality and verve.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Suited up in a raincoat and rain boots, one determined youngster guides the reader step by step through the tricky task of bathing a woolly mammoth. From filling the tub to jumping into it with him, the child demonstrates that the best plan is to be patient and flexible. Like the text, Hindley's illustrations are simple and meticulous yet laced with humorous bits.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden